ERNEST FREDERICK WIETING
14TH JULY 1936 — 4TH APRIL 2024

Ernest Frederick Wieting was called to rest on 4th April 2024. FAMILY “Ernie” was born in the Bronx, New York City on 14th July 1936, the eldest among three sons of the late John Ernest Wieting and the late Frieda (Brunken) Wieting; he was the elder to his late brother William George Wieting (Helen Seweryn), John Ernest Wieting (Louise Mino) and sister -in- law (Alice Hein). Ernie lived his life to the fullest with vibrancy, spirit, and purpose. He had the will, essence to live his best life and did so wonderfully. Ernie met his beautiful wife and life partner Eleanor (Bauman) Wieting in New York. They were married for thirty-seven glorious years. Ernie and Eleanor left the city for greener pastures in the early 1960s to plant deep roots. They made Cortlandt Manor their home where they raised a family together with Eleanor’s late mother Emma Bauman.
A loyal husband, Ernie became a widower in 2000 when Ellie passed away suddenly. He was a devoted father, sage, and oracle to his only son Steven and daughter-in-law Magdalena. Opa was especially proud to be a grandfather to Sullivan Charles with whom he welcomed to the world on Father’s Day 2009. Since then, Ernie continued to be the elder, patriarchal guide to Sully and family. Ernie leaves behind several beloved past and present relatives and extended family among the Brunken, Bruns, Langone, Linnemann and Wietings. In passing, he joins his close cousin (the late Marianne Bruns Langone, aka “Tootsie” and his late brother Bill) affectionately known together in their childhood as the ‘three musketeers’. Ernie always prioritised, delighted in family gatherings and was prideful of the next-gen Wietings, including nephews William (Neva), Richard (Rebecca), and Greg; his nieces Irina (Christopher), Jennifer and their families who fondly called him Uncle Ernie.

NATURAL-BORN SURVIVOR Ernie’s life of public service and intense community service was inspirational. He faced his challenges with courage. After Ellie passed, he fought his biggest battle when he was initially diagnosed with cancer, non-Hodgkin’s-lymphoma in 2005. He was treated and would later survive three bouts of cancer in and out of remission in a span of over 21 years. He was part of our traditional old guard; his boomer generation that valued self-reliance, a strong work ethic, and service to others, core to his foundation, pillars of being. His devotion to family, work, and personal achievements, aligned admirably with what he treasured most: helping, giving to others in the form of duty and service.

MAN FOR ALL SEASONS Ernie lived many lives in his 87 years. He was impressively reliable in his family and circles as a larger-than-life force, magnanimous spirit, always willing to lend a helping hand: from colleagues, neighbors to his local social groups in Cortlandt to Sullivan’s schools, Parents Association in Bedford, the church Carnival and Christmas Boutique. He would somehow find a way to solve challenges with practical thought and experience. He found ways to ensure most anything and everything could be restored to working order. You could safely rely on him to fix virtually anything from broken radios, cars, electrical outlets, lamps, gadgets, windows, doors, doorjambs, locks, bikes, boilers, heat pumps, faucets, leaks, welding, carpentry, even terribly cooked dishes. Things that were either broken or deemed a lost cause, he somehow found a way to salvage, repair, reuse, recycle and renew. When off-duty from police work, he never hesitated to dash to the scene of an emergency. He would assist first responders and occasionally be the only emergency responder on the scene, managing the crisis like a true, hero-boss that he was. He was renown in retirement as the go-to-guy. If he wasn’t serving in his many roles as Treasurer of his church or conducting meetings at the Masons, Scouts, or German Club, he would happily oblige to serve as a revered judge at the Bavaria Club Edelweiss during their traditional German Schuhplattler competitions and Oktoberfests.

LIFELONG LEARNING | INTERESTS | HOBBIES
Ernie was always learning a new craft, delving into projects or assisting in home or landscaping improvements. Throughout his life, Ernest found ways to integrate civil service with his inquisitive mind, always developing and mastering new skills. Apart from his vocation, he delved deeply, passionately into new pursuits, fascinated by all things-science, grasping for new concepts, hobbies, travel, and experiences. He loved exploring B&H in midtown for new cameras and photography equipment; fine-tuned his treasured telescopes for our next celestial viewings; he was also a classical music fan, known for spontaneous singing. Most notably, a recurring fond memory of Ernie stands out when he often belted out his favorite arias from the three tenors’ operatic series, mimicking Pavarotti with wide open mouth, gesticulating with arms swaying as if he were standing center stage in Teatro all a Scala in front of an audience (us). He would lecture us on how to properly grill meats and meals to safe food storage. Another keen past time of Ernie’s was his love of pipe organs; he would travel far and wide just to hear the distinct tubular sounds emanating from blaring pipes, steeple to steeple. Ernie was especially fond of steam engine trains; fascinated as a boy, he would later collect special edition Lionel trains, dragging Steven as a young boy to train shows and exhibitions to monitor and covet the supply of buyable-commercial cars. If there was any shopping opportunity for collectible trains, he was first on queue to ensure he was its new owner; proudly showcasing at home in admiration. Choo-choo and beep-beep, RXR crossings with railroad lights flashing were familiar sounds heard on Christmas mornings at the Wieting’s house. Ernie set up his annual oval train track underneath their Christmas tree. It was part of their whimsical holiday décor. Their living room was elegantly decorated by Ellie and Emma but the engineering rail yard, tracks, and apparatus underneath their Christmas tree was Ernie’s gig. He giddily obliged every Christmas. His knowledge of subjects from electrical engineering, plumbing, auto repair, roofing, coin, and stamp collecting runs the spectrum and gamut — to all things German-Italian-and-Swiss during his overseas military tours there — synonymous with his lifelong pursuit of learning. Name a topic or mention something. He knew it. He would have an impassioned discussion to enlighten you, never shy to share his knowledge and wisdom. Of great appreciation to all was his expertise as a clever, police detective. Many of us were either ‘subjected’ or ‘fascinated by’ his retelling of unsolved criminal cases. We spent many formal dinners at Ellie’s dining table, cozying fireside for chats about his sleuthing work. Be it in any restaurant, car ride, casual or intimate setting, he fervently debated with visiting guests in our Bedford home (which he helped renovate and build), with energetic animation. Ernie was especially attentive to dissecting details of unsolved crimes; those gray areas of past unsolved mysteries that kept him mystified, determined to solve cold cases beyond any statute of limitations. He often entertained us for hours, describing in gory, graphic detail, thousands of medical examiners reports, citing errors made by others in criminal investigations. When wine was served, he unearthed elaborate details of archived, vaulted cases ’til dawn. He developed many relationships in the field solving cases behind the scenes, including numerous rotations of district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, and judges during his tenure. He received great recognition for his crime-solving acumen and detective prowess as many of his peers noted in the New York City judicial system.

SERVICE TO OTHERS Ernie sought to achieve so much in his life, wearing multiple hats and serving many roles beyond his vocation. His lifelong urge-to-serve was seeded at a relatively young age, starting as a shoe-shine boy living in the Bronx, to Scouts, school, photo shop entrepreneur, the Army National Guard, the NYPD, to his multiple roles in “retirement.” As a young impressionable city-boy, he dove enthusiastically into competitions, earning and rising through the ranks in Boy Scouts, BSA. He left city life routinely during his summers to pursue outdoor challenges. His remarkable development from city-kid to teen to adult to senior — remaining steadfast as a lifelong Scout. This would later allow him to serve as BSA District Advancement Chairman, one of several retirement roles for which he is most proud.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER Mr. Wieting’s professional career spans over six decades of government, military, and civic service. He served his country in multiple capacities. Ultimately, Ernie’s life’s work was to serve others.

NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT Ernest had a 31-year career with the New York Police Department, retiring as a Detective in the 43rd precinct in 1996. His service included the Bronx Narcotics Unit and briefly asan officer in the 44th precinct. His investigative, law enforcement career began in the 41st precinct in Bronx County in 1965. He honourably served the City of New York behind the scenes, solving cases under their specialized crime investigations bureau for homicide and sex crime special victims unit.

U.S. STATE DEPT |SECRET SERVICE |NYPD INTELLIGENCE Ernest was frequently called upon by the New York City Police Intelligence division, assigned with the Secret Service and U. S. State Department. He was routinely assigned to guard visiting preeminent world dignitaries that included Pope John Paul II, Official Heads of State, and Government Delegations during their annual United Nations General Assembly.

UNITED STATES ARMY | NATIONAL GUARD As a 29 year-United States Military Veteran, Ernest retired as Sergeant First Class with the 133rd Maintenance Unit of the United States Army National Guard. He served two active-duty tours overseas: Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991. He was based with the US Army in Germany supporting operations in Bosnia. He first enlisted in the United States Army in 1955 training at Fort Belvoir, after serving two years in the Reserved Officer Training Corps at City College of New York. He earned the Army Achievement medal in 1996.

BOY SCOUTS USA Most notably, Ernest was celebrated as the ‘two millionth boy scout’ as featured in the New York Times, February 8th, 1951 issue. He joined scouting as the Boy Scouts of America BSA were celebrating their 41st Anniversary. Brigadier General Romulo directed a young impressionable Ernest to recite the Boy Scout Oath to the assembled audience in New York City. It would seal his dutiful calling to resolutely serve from childhood thereon. Ernest would later serve as an adult volunteer for BSA since 1980 as assistant Scout Master for Troop 134. He became Westchester-Putnam Council District Advancement Chairman in the mid 1980s; until recent years, he continued to help many youths obtain the rank of Eagle Scout. He was District Commissioner for six years, winning many scouting awards that included Silver Beaver, Lamb Award, and District Award of Merit. He was also Vigil member of Ktemaqe Lodge, Order of the Arrow, an achievement he felt most proud.

SAINT GEORGE ASSOCIATION | NYPD PBA & DEA Ernest was a past President of the Saint George Association, New York City Police Department, Delegate of the Police Benevolent Association and Delegate of the Detective Endowment Association.

BAVARIA CLUB EDELWEISS | GERMAN CLUB OF WESTCHESTER Ernie was a Board Member as 2nd Vice President of the Bavaria Club Edelweiss of Westchester, where he routinely judged traditional German Schuhplattlers of the Gauverband Nordeamerika.

YORKTOWN LODGE, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS Ernie served as a former Grand Lodge Officer in Free and Accepted Masons of the Yorktown Lodge.

CORTLANDT SENIORS Ernest was the Treasurer of the Cortlandt Seniors and North Court Seniors.

SAINT LUKE’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Ernie was also an Elder, former Treasurer of Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church of Putnam Valley. Ernest earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at John Jay College, City University of New York. His lifelong ‘education’ far surpassed his academic achievements. He was a scholar who pursued and achieved so much more beyond the classroom.

OUR HERO Ernie was our bright light, shining star. His magnificence was dimmed not by his fighting spirit but by physical limitations from a body that couldn’t keep up with his sharp mind. We have lost our hero. He wants us all to live to make a difference. We shall honour him by living and giving (our best) lives. Rest now with our love, Ernie, Dad, Opa
✨ Steven, Maggie, and Sullivan ✨

Visiting hours will be on Monday, April 8, 2024 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 35 Morrissey Drive, Putnam Valley. Full Military Honors will take place at 6 p.m.

The Funeral Service, with NYPD honors will be on Tuesday, April 9th at 11 a.m. at St Luke’s Lutheran Church, 65 Oscawana Lake Road, Putnam Valley and entombment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park.